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You walk up to your front door with some trepidation; you've told Ami and Jax that you think the Major is back home, and they seem quite nervous about it as well. As you open the door, you can hear both your parents' voices coming from inside, and they stop. "Wendell Dumein! Come on in! The Major's back!" your mom calls out as you walk into your house, apparently coming from the kitchen. You head over there, Ami and Jax following closely behind you. Inside, the first thing you see is your mom waiting for you in the doorway. She smiles and gestures at you to come in, and you do so, seeing the Major for the first time in months.

She isn't particularly tall, about five feet eight, but there's something commanding about her presence and her stance that makes you want to salute as she turns to look at you, her hair already graying in most parts, but her dark eyes smolder with some unbridled emotion that you've never been able to figure out. Seeing that the Major is still in uniform, you, Ami, and Jax snap to attention, saluting her instinctively, and a small up-curl appears on her lips as your mom stares at the three of you. She returns the salute before saying, "At ease, you three. You're on leave right now, and you're staying at my house as guests," her voice still as gravelly as you remember it.

"Er…thank you, ma'am?" Ami says, slowly lowering her hand. She nods, gestures at the three of you to take a seat, and says, "I understand that the three of you are serving in the same unit?"

Jax nods and says, "Fifth Infantry squad, ma'am. First assignment after boot camp graduation, ma'am."

The Major nods as if she knew that already and says, "Already been involved in two skirmishes as well. Pity that we had to break the three of you in so soon, but that's how life is sometimes," she says before fixing her eyes on you. You stiffen a little, but the Major doesn't say anything yet and talks to Ami and Jax in a casual manner, asking them about themselves and how they're finding military life so far. For your part, you just keep quiet throughout the conversation whilst your mom makes some drinks for everyone.

After about half an hour, the Major stands up and says, "Dismissed." Ami and Jax stand up and leave the kitchen in a hurry, and you too start to stand up. The Major holds up her hand. "We need to talk…alone," she says, placing extra emphasis on the last word. Your mom gets the hint and leaves the room, patting your arm and smiling at you as she does so.

When she has left, you turn towards the Major, who's looking at you sternly.

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